Lily Belle
Your hair is golden brown
I’ve seen your black man
Coming round ~ Neil Young “Southern Man”

Will minorities be recruited by University of Alabama Greeks now that the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice has stepped in?

Maybe a few token minority faces will appear in the Greek section at Bryant Denny Stadium on weekends now?

Why did the University’s administration have to consult with the U.S. Attorney’s Office before developing a plan?

One thing is clear. On Rush Week the Alabama National Guard will not be “federalized”.

An AL.com article by Ken Faulk reported:

“The University of Alabama announced Friday afternoon that it has developed a plan that provides a model to promote inclusion of minorities in the recruitment process for campus sororities and fraternities.

“The plan, developed with the help of federal civil rights prosecutors, encompasses three years of focused effort, which began in fall 2013 and resulted in increasingly diverse new member sorority classes in 2013, 2014 and 2015, the University announced in a statement.

“UA has about 10,000 students in its 62 Greek organizations, making it one of the largest in the country, according to the statement.

“Since Fall 2012, the percentage of students of color in fraternities and sororities has increased 91.5 percent. Over the same time period, the Greek community has increased 31.1 percent and the overall UA enrollment of undergraduate students of color has increased 20.3 percent, according to the statement.

“UA states that the action plan clarifies expectations for all students and student organizations; establishes a clear and consistent process for reporting, investigating and responding to allegations of discriminatory conduct; implements appropriate training and education for those involved in the selection process; and works to provide a supportive, welcoming campus that is inclusive and free of racial tension.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Birmingham stated Friday that the University, which claims the largest fraternity and sorority membership, consulted with it and the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice in developing the plan.

“‘Greek life is a vital part of the college experience for many students. With today’s action plan, the University of Alabama makes a commitment that this important component of University life, which plays a significant role in the formation of relationships students will carry forward into their adult lives, is not tarnished by racial barriers,’ U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance stated in a statement also issued Friday afternoon. ‘We look forward to the University’s prompt and full implementation of the action plan. We appreciate the students who came forward with allegations about discrimination in sorority rush and made this action plan possible. We urge the community to contact our office if they have any concerns about discrimination or other civil-rights violations on any campus.’

“In the fall of 2013, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Civil Rights Division had contacted the University to inquire about the allegations of race discrimination in the selection process for new members in the University’s traditionally white sororities, and the University’s response, according a statement from U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance.

“At that time, the University had undertaken a series of efforts to demonstrate the University’s commitment to a discrimination-free campus environment and to increase diversity in the University’s recognized Greek organizations, according to Vance’s statement.”